Documents question - birth certificate

[magyar2]

I have urged MIL to get her passport, but the app keeps getting sent back (she won't let me help her fill it out). It most recently was returned because the old passport that she sent in was over 15 years old, and the letter states that she must show up in person. Well, she is in a rehabilitation center due to recent back surgery, and is not able to leave, therefore she can't go to the passport office. Passport office says there are no exceptions. OK then.

Instead, we will be taking her birth certificate. She has one that is from 1929, issued by the Chicago Dept.of Health. It has a pink ribbon attached to it, says it is certified, but no raised seal. To be safe, I called to have another one sent out, hoping it makes it here within 3 weeks. We will also take her Driver's License as photo I.D.

Here's my question - obviously, the birth certificate does not have her married name on it. Does she need to bring a marriage license (which she can't find)? I have been searching for the answer, because I know I read this here once before, but I can't find it, and am hoping someone here can help.

We always travel with our passports, which is why I am not sure how this works. I wish MIL had started taking care of this last December when we booked - sure would save me the trouble right now!

 

[Señor Ferrari]

My understanding is that your MIL will not need a marriage license. Many on this board have reported that their birth certificate and ID had different last names, and that they had no problems.

I agree that traveling with passports is the way to go, but you should not have any problems with birth certificate and driver's license.

 

[CathyCanada]

Not all birth certificates have raised seals, some have watermarks and others have no identifying feature, I am not sure why DCL describes them as such. I think they just want people to realize that it must be a birth certificate, not just a record of birth. When I called to ask about this for another client earlier this week, I was told that bringing along additional ID wouldn't hurt.

Senor is right about the marriage certificate, it won't be needed.

Have fun!!!
Cathy